NH-37 bandh impacts on daily activities
Source: The Sangai Express
Jiribam, February 23 2014 :
Normal traffic movement was severely affected for the second day at several areas on NH-37 (Imphal-Jiribam road) owing to the ongoing 72-hour bandh being clamped by Kuki Student's Organisation and Kuki Women's Union, Tamenglong today.
Even as ZSU has announced its support to the bandh, large number of womenfolk blockaded the highway at Tatbung, Leisangphai, Kaiphundai and Keimai areas by sitting on the road.
Bandh supporters alleged that people of Meitei community of Jiribam have been encroaching on the areas of Kukis and other tribal people of neighbouring Tamenglong and Churachandpur districts.
They further alleged that parts of Kamranga Khasi, Latphaito Yetrophai Farm, Pankotphai and Khedagor Khasi etc had already been encroached bit by bit from 2009 .
Lamenting that the same spree is continuing at nearby areas as well, the bandh supporters said that it could not be checked in time as the ADC and Settlement office ASO remained silent on the issue.
Claiming that the area where Gularthol Police Outpost is located falls under Tatbung village of Tamenglong district, the bandh supporters said that the Outpost must be kept under the jurisdiction of Tamenglong district.
They further said that many people from Jiribam had constructed houses on the encroached land.
The new settlers had also told the volunteers of KSO and KWU that the houses were constructed with permission from the ADC.
The agitators also cautioned that agitation would be intensified if the Government fails to evict the encroached settlements.